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110
Osborne, one of the Vestrymen, got up and said (I am quoting
Lord William Compton's own words), "that perhaps I was un"aware
that up to the time Sir Charles Dilke had issued his first
"circular the Vestry had not been aware of the powers they
"possessed," that is to say the powers under the 35th section.
Was that the case?—They had never turned their attention to it.
Of course it was upon our Acts in the office, but they had never
turned their attention to it, and consequently they had never
considered the effect of that particular clause.
17,484. Were you aware that the provisions with regard to the
tenement houses were in operation in some districts of the
metropolis, for instance, in Chelsea?—No, I was not.
17,485. Mr. Osborne, who is here mentioned, is on all the chief
Committees of the Vestry, is he not?—On most of them.
17,486. He is a broker, auctioneer, house agent, and rent
collector, is he not?—I believe he is.
17,487. Do you know whether he still holds the property in
Easton Street, as to which Lord William Compton gave
evidence?—I am not quite certain whether he has parted with it
or not.
17,488. You doubt whether he has lately sold his property in
Easton Street, Easton Place, and Northampton Road?—He has
some in Northampton Road, but I am not certain whether he
holds that property in Easton Street or not.
17,489. Another witness, who spoke a good deal to us upon this
subject, was Mr. Jennings, who was at that time the Chairman
of your Sanitary Committee, but who has since, I believe, been
left out of the Committee in the recent re-elections of your
Committees?—Yes.
17,490. Mr. Jennings at question 2942 was asked:— "On what
"occasion has the adoption of the 35th section been considered by
"your Vestry while you have been a member of it?" and he
replied that it had not been considered. He was then asked in
the next question whether it was only lately that the Vestry had
become alive to its importance; and he then said:—"It was
"only since the communication from the Local Government
"Board giving the intimation that you have declared that in
"operation that we have considered it." He was then asked
what steps had been taken to make byelaws during the last few
months, and he made the following reply:— "The question was
"referred to the Sanitary Committee. The Sanitary Committee